November 2nd 2024.
Hey there! This week, we are exploring the charming city of Aberdeen. Welcome back to What I Own, where we dive into the world of homeownership. In case you missed it, last week we caught up with Lauren May for our sister series, What I Rent. She showed us around her lovely one-bedroom flat in Isleworth, West London. Lauren made the big leap from living with her mom in Ealing to having her own place in 2020.
Today, we are meeting with a retired couple, Fiona and Tim McKay, who recently sold their family home and moved into a cozy retirement property. Their goal was to live mortgage-free and have a home that was easier to maintain, without compromising on space. Let's hear from Fiona and Tim about their journey to finding their perfect home!
Let's start with a little about yourselves. Could you tell us a bit about your background?
We are a happily married couple in our early 60s with two grown-up sons, a cat, and two dogs. We have been together since we were teenagers, as we met in school back in Aberdeen. Fun fact - we were both head boy and head girl! We both retired early from our busy careers in education and medicine.
Where exactly is your property located, and what are your thoughts on the area?
We now live in a lovely Cala Home at the Craibstone Estate on the outskirts of Aberdeen. It's a peaceful area with plenty of green spaces, but also has excellent transportation options with easy access to roads, airports, and trains.
When did you move into your new home?
We officially moved into our new home in June 2024.
Can you share the cost of your property with us?
Our home cost us just under £550,000. Luckily, Cala Homes offers various incentives to help with the move, including assistance with taxes.
How much was your deposit?
We were able to reserve our home with just a £1,000 fee. Then, a couple of months later, when the contracts were finalized, we paid an additional 2.5% of the purchase price.
What is the monthly cost of living in your new home, including mortgage and bills?
We feel very lucky to be mortgage-free, as the sale of our previous home covered the cost of our new one. It's still too early to compare the running costs with our old property, but we've already noticed that our new home stays warm without having to turn on the heating.
What made you decide to buy instead of renting?
We really wanted a home that would be easier to maintain. Our initial plan was to build our own home, but unfortunately, we couldn't get the necessary planning permission. So, we started looking at new build developments in the area.
Where did you find your property?
Our previous home, which we owned, was nearby, and we first learned about the Craibstone development through a flyer that came in the mail. That led us to make an appointment to visit, and we were blown away by what we saw.
What made you choose this particular property?
We looked at a few different house styles and plots, but ultimately, we went with Cala's Kennedy layout. It best suited our needs, and we were lucky enough to find one being built on a beautiful plot with a stunning view in the front and a private garden in the back.
How did you make the property feel like home? What inspired your interior design?
Since we reserved our house seven months before moving in, we had the opportunity to choose our own flooring, wardrobes, vanity units, and kitchen colors. We spent those months planning how we would use each room, buying new furniture, and deciding where to hang our paintings and other decorative items. Our design inspiration comes from years of reading Ideal Home magazine, a love for art, and collecting unique pieces to furnish our home. We also found show homes to be a great source of inspiration, especially the Kennedy at Friarsfield in Cults.
Which room is your favorite, and why?
We absolutely love our open-plan kitchen, dining, and family room. It overlooks our garden and gets plenty of sun from late morning until evening.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
We believe this house has the perfect amount of space for us. We didn't want to downsize too much, just have a home that wouldn't require a lot of maintenance and a smaller outdoor space that wouldn't demand too much time or effort to maintain.
Are there any plans to make changes to the property?
We did pay for a few upgrades, such as a silestone worktop and Amtico flooring.
What advice do you have for others looking to buy a home?
We had no prior experience with buying a brand new home, but the whole process went smoothly and was relatively stress-free. We couldn't be happier with the result.
What are your future housing plans? Do you see yourselves staying here long-term?
We definitely see this as our forever home. It's easy to maintain, both inside and out, and the fact that all the green spaces, including the woodlands, are taken care of by the estate management was a huge plus for us. We also chose the Kennedy layout because it allows us to live on the ground floor if we ever have mobility issues in the future.
Shall we take a tour of your home?
Of course, welcome to our home!
Fiona and Tim were able to customize their kitchen with the finishes they wanted.
There's plenty of space for a dinner party here.
The couple upgraded to a fancy silestone worktop.
They've added their personal touch with colorful decor and furnishings.
Fiona and Tim wanted a new space to enjoy their retirement.
Meow!
Even though it's still spacious, they hope this home will be easier to maintain compared to their previous one.
They are avid readers of Ideal Home magazine.
The property also has a lovely garden.
Fiona and Tim can live on the ground floor if they have mobility issues as they age.
This is their first new build home.
They were able to buy mortgage-free after selling their previous home.
Two bedrooms mean there's plenty of space for their adult children to stay.
Is that a cello we see?
A simple bunch of flowers can go a long way.
And there's another living space.
The soft carpet adds a cozy touch.
Little details make their house feel like a home.
The modern kitchen comes with all the latest gadgets.
The couple previously lived just around the corner.
They hope this will be their forever home.
Do you have a story to share?
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